Over 8 million people in the United States struggle with psoriasis. Are you one of them? If you deal with this autoimmune disease, you know that identifying your psoriasis triggers is one of the first steps to getting your condition under control.
Read on to learn about 5 common triggers. You’ll also find some steps you can take to manage your psoriasis symptoms effectively.
What Is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease. When the immune system malfunctions, it causes the skin cells to regenerate faster than normal. This results in rapid cell turnover and a red, scaly rash that covers the skin and can affect all parts of the body, even the fingernails.
Psoriasis Causes
Researchers don’t know exactly what causes psoriasis. However, it does tend to run in families. Smoking can also increase one’s risk of developing psoriasis, as can chronically elevated stress levels.
5 Psoriasis Triggers to Avoid
Most people find that their psoriasis symptoms get worse when they’re exposed to certain substances or situations. The following are 5 common psoriasis triggers to be aware of:
1. Skin Injuries
If you experience a skin injury, such as a sunburn or a bug bite, your body might respond by increasing cell turnover. This, in turn, may trigger a rash.
One way to avoid skin injuries is to always wear sunscreen and apply insect repellant when outdoors.
2. Illnesses
When you get sick, your immune system has to work harder to fight off germs and help you recover. In the process, your psoriasis may flare-up.
There is a particular connection between strep throat and psoriasis. If you notice a psoriasis flare, you may want to get tested for strep throat, even if you’re not showing symptoms.
3. Weather
Some people notice that their psoriasis is worse at certain times of the year when the weather changes.
Cold weather, in particular, tends to contribute to psoriasis flares. This may have to do, in part, with the fact that more people get sick during the winter.
4. Food
Certain types of food can trigger psoriasis flare-ups. This is especially true when it comes to foods that contribute to an overactive immune system, including the following:
- Nightshades (tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes)
- Gluten-containing foods
- White flour
- Dairy
- Shellfish
- Pork
- Red meat
- High-sugar foods
- High-fat foods
An elimination diet is a good way to determine which of these foods (if any) make your psoriasis worse.
5. Alcohol
Alcohol can also impact the immune system and contribute to your psoriasis symptoms. If you have a habit of drinking alcohol regularly, you may want to eliminate it for a few weeks and see if your psoriasis gets better.
If your symptoms do improve, you’ll know to avoid alcohol moving forward. You can also buy Dovobet gel online before a special occasion to help with any flare-ups that may occur.
Seek Psoriasis Treatment Today
Are you ready to combat your psoriasis triggers and take control of your help? Keep the information discussed in this guide in mind so you can find out what makes your symptoms worse.
If you need more help controlling your psoriasis, check out the Health section of our site today for more resources.
